Eckhard



Jan. 14, 1958 A. ECKHARD I 2,819,672

' DECIMAL POINT SHIFIING DEVICE Filed Oct. 23, 195.6 2 Sheets-Sheet l9/7/ D .r Rec/mung gfm Sa/eci* Number eer/l/' 701%/ ezel'chng. Anzsh/f/'nze/pre/ls erag Mnfel 10,... 1o 125 00 1250 00 LeTungsrohr 25, OO. 2500 1 Z5 Z1 25 Mzen Bier 0,255 Z55 85 O0 21 17 Kamen v 12,0.. 120 5 20 3s110 Rundnon 10,255 10 255 10 00 102 55 Haken faz/sand 5,500 3500 IO 0055 O0 Niefe pef/a/zdfeo 5,00. 00 3 2O 16 UO Mehl pera//acv 0,565 56 508T 50 I8 LIL Haba# O @WW ,555 53 33 1542 81 51222 INVENTOR.' 5W v /M/m/Jan. 14, A1958 A. ECKHARD DECIMAL POINT SHIFTING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Oct. 23, 1956 United States Patent O DECIMAL POINT SHIFTING DEVICEvAlfred Eckhard, Siegen, Germany, assignor to Siemag FeinmechanisclleWerke G. m. b. H., Eiserfeld (Sieg), Germany Application October 23,1956, Serial No. 617,743

Claims priority, application Germany October 24, 1955 15 Claims. (Cl.101-93) The present invention relates to a decimal point shifting deviceand more particularly to a device for typing or otherwise printing anumber with the decimal point in a position diiferent from the positionof the decimal point in the same number which has been introduced into acalculating machine associated with the printing device.

In the type of oliice machine to which the present invention relates, acalculating mechanism is combined with a typing or printing mechanism,and the numbers which are introduced into the calculating machine, areregistered in a contact register. Numerical values registered in thecontact register are printed by the typing mechanism when the movingtypewriter carriage consecutively actuates a set of stationary contactswhich are respectively associated with the decimal orders and with thedecimal point. According to the known art, a sequence of digitsexpressing a number, and having the decimal point in a predeterminedposition, is introduced into the calculating machine, and the samenumber is printed by the printing mechanism with decimalpoints inunchanged position. In the machines according to the known art it is notpossible to vary the position of the decimal point after a number hasbeen introduced into the contact register. However, itis often desiredto print a number with the decimal point in a different position ascompared with a position necessary for the computing operations in thecalculator. For example, certain merchandise is generally referred to bythe number of pieces, such as for instance 10,000 rivets, while theprice of rivets is generally quoted per hundred. Consequently, while atransaction concerning 10,000 rivets has to be booked, the unit pricefor rivets has to be multiplied by 100, and not by 10,000.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a decimal pointshifting device for printing a number with the decimal point in aposition different from the position of the decimal point in the samenumber introduced into a calculator associated with the printing device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide in a machine inwhich the printing mechanism is actuated by a platen carriage forprinting a number having a decimal point, switch means by which thedecimal point is set in a position different from the position in whicha respective number was introduced into a contact^register.

It is another object of the present invention to provide multi-positionswitch means for establishing different connections between carriageactuated contacts which are respectively associated with decimal ordersand with the decimal point, and actuating relays for the printing deviceof the machine which are respectively `associated with different digitsand with the decimal point.

It is another object of the present invention to provide spacing meansfor shifting the carrige stepwise when the printing means are locatedopposite places in which no printing is desired.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide means forrounding of the lowest decimal orders when 2,819,672 Patented Jan. 14,1958 such orders would have to be printed in positions which are nolonger available due to the shifting of the decimal point.

With these objects in View, the present invention mainly consists in adecimal point shifting device which comprises, in combination, a set ofcarriage actuated contacts including a plurality of carriage actuatedVcontacts respectively associated with decimal orders and one carriageactuated contact associated with the decimal point and being located ina predetermined position with respect to the other carriage actuatedcontacts, so that the carriage actuated contact associated with thedecimal orderv is actuated in a predetermined sequence with the othercarriage actuated contacts when the carriage moves along the carriageactuated contacts; a set of actuating relays including a plurality ofdigit relays respectively associated with diiferent digits for causingthe printing of digits, and a decimal point relay for effecting thedecimal point; and switch means connecting the carriage actuatedcontacts with the actuating relays, and being movable between aplurality of positions for establishing different connections betweenthe carriage actuated contacts and the actuating relays for actuatingthe decimal point relay and the digit relays in different sequences ineach of the positions of the switch means whereby a number may beprinted with the decimal point in different positions.

In the apparatus to which the present invention is preferably employed,a contact register is provided which includes a set of first conductorsrespectively associated with diiferent digits and connected to the digitrelays of the actuating relays, and a set of second conductors respectively associated with decimal orders, and a plurality of numbercontacts for connecting selected rst conductors with selected secondconductors, respectively. The above mentioned switch means connect theset of carriage actuated contacts with the second conductors and withthe decimal point relay, respectively.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the switch means aremulti-position switch means including a set of movable contact membersrespectively connected to the set of carriage actuated contacts, and aplurality of sets of fixed contact members. The fixed contact members ofeach set of xed contact members are differently connected to the secondconductors of the Contact register and to the decimal point relay forestablishing different connections between the carriage actuatedcontacts and the actuating relays in the different positions of themulti-position switch means,

Preferably, a set of switches is provided for directly connecting thecarriage actuated contacts to the second conductors and to the decimalpoint relay for printing a number with the decimal point in a normalposition determined by the carriage actuated relays.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Fig. l shows a form on which transactions are recorded by the printingmeans in accordance with the present invention; and

Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement according to thepresent invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. l, theillustrated form is a bill. The printed columns, starting from the left,consecutively state the subject of the transaction, the number of priceunits, the number, the price per price unit, and the total.

The arrangement of the form will perhaps be best under stood withreference to the penultimate item, Niepe, which means rivets. The priceof rivets is quoted per hundred and is 3.20 as shown in the secondcolumn from the right. 500 rivets are sold as shown in the third columnfrom the right. However, in order to arrive at the total price of thesold 500 rivets, the price per unit has to be multiplied with the numberof units, which is 5. Consequently, it is necessary to introduce intothe calculator the number 5.00 in order to arrive at the correct total,16.00 shown in the last column on the right. in accordance with thepresent invention, the number 500 is printed in the number column, whilethe number is introduced into the calculator for producing the correcttotal.

In the first item all decimal orders of the number l0 before the decimalpoint are printed, with the zeroes suppressed.l In printing the price,it is necessary to place the decimal point, and to print two ordersbehind the decimal point corresponding to cents. The total is printed inthe same manner.

The second item refers to pipes, and the price is computed per meter ofpipe length, whereas the pipe length is stated in meters andcentimeters. The meters are first printed, then the decimal point isexpressed, and then two further orders are printed. For computing thetotal, the number of meters, 25, is introduced into the calculator.

The sixth item refers to hooks for which the price is quoted perthousand. The number of pieces is printed with a decimal point, whereasthe number of price units is introduced into the calculator with thedecimal point shifted three decimal orders so that by multiplication thetotal is immediately obtained. In the last item the price is quoted perhundred, so that the third column contains 56.50 pounds, whereas thesecond column shows the value introduced into the calculating machinefor obtaining the correct total by multiplication with the price perunit.

The last line refers to the discount which is generally quoted inpercent. In the present example, the discount is 33% Consequently it isnecessary to introduce into the calculator the same number with thedecimal point shifted for two decimal orders, and to multiply the amountby 0.333.

From the examples of Fig. l it will become apparent that it is highlyadvantageous to shift the position of the decimal point betweencomputing operation and printing operation. In accordance with theproblems, a rounding off of the last orders, and the positioning of thedigits with respect to the position of the decimal point is effected.

Fig. 2 illustrates in a diagram the required switches and circuits. Thenumber which is to be printed is registered in the contact register 33and is expressed by number contacts 391r9. The number contacts areshiftable and produce selective connections between a set of firstconductors 3409, and a set of transverse second con ductors 351*9 whichare respectively associated with consecutive decimal orders. T he irstconductors 340-9 are respectively connected to the actuating relays 50which are provided for printing the digits 0 9. An actuating relay 10 isprovided Jfor printing, or otherwise representing, the decimal point,and an actuating relay 40 is provided for shitting the carriage one stepfor producing an empty space on the form in which nothing is printed.Means may be provided for suppressing the printing of zeroes inpositions before Ithe decimal point and before the highest integer.

In calculator machines in which a plurality of calculating devices ortotalizers is provided, it is preferred to provide for each of thecalculating devices, as well as for the keyboard, a contact register ofthe type illustrated in Fig. 2, and to connect such contact registers onthe output side thereof by multiple circuit connections. The contactregisters are selectively rendered effective by multi-position switchmeans such as the switch means 3019 and 201-9.

The contact register 33 may be arranged underneath a keyboard by whichthe desired connections between the rst and second conductors areselectively produced by operating the keys. The contact register 33 mayalso be a storage device for numbers, and operated by type bars ot thecalculating machine, or by corresponding members.

In any event selected numbers are represented on the contact register33, and when a connection is established by a number contact 39 betweena second conductor 35 and a rst conductor 34, the respective digit relay509 is actuated for printing a digit.

The terminal 32 of a source of current is connected to a set of carriageactuated contacts 11-19. These contacts are respectively associated withconsecutive decimal orders and with a decimal point and are actuated bystops which are arranged on the typewriter carriage. The positions ofthestops can be suitably adjusted. When the stops on the carriage movealong the stationary carriage actuated contacts 11-19, these contactsare consecutively actuated in a predetermined sequence ofthe orders andthe decimal point, starting with the contact 19.

In the first position of the form sheet column the contact 19 whichcorresponds to the highest decimal order is first closed. When the setof irst switches 301*9 is in circuit closing position, a connection isestablished between the terminal 32 through contact 19, switch 309,second conductor 359, number contact 399, rst conductor 340, the digitprinting relay 50l1 to the second terminal 31 of the source of current.Energizing of the actuating relay 500 effects printing of the number 0,or if it is not desired to print meaningless zeroes in the highestdecimal orders of a number, a suitable zero suppressing device may beactuated which produces stepwise shifting of the carriage through onespace without the printing of the digit 0.

When the carriage moves one step to the neXt lower order, the carriageactuated contact 19 is released, and the carriage actuated contact 18which coresponds to the next lower decimal order is moved to circuitclosing position. A circuit is closed from terminal 32 through contact18, switch 308, second conductor 358, number contact 398, rst conductor340 and through the zero digit relay 500 to the second terminal 31. Ofcourse, if the number contact 398 would have been arranged at thecrossing point of the first conductor 341 with the second conductor 358,the digit l would have been printed.

As the carriage moves along the carriage actuated contacts, the contacts17, 16, 15 and 14 are consecutively actuated so that corresponding digitrelays 50 are energized. When the carriage actuated contact 13 is movedto circuit closing position by the carriage, a circuit is establishedthrough switch 303, and the decimal point relay 10 to the terminal 31.Thereby the printing of the decimal point is effected.

Further movement of the carriage effects closing of the contacts 12 and11. When contact 12 is closed, a circuit is established through switch302, second conductor 353, number contact 393, iirst conductor 342, andthe digit relay associated with the digit 2 is energized to print thedigit 2 behind the decimal point. In the same manner the second decimalorder behind the decimal point is printed upon actuation of the carriageactuated Contact 11. The line 60 indicates the position of the decimalpoint in the contact register 33, and it will be noted that threedecimal orders are available behind the decimal point since there arethree second conductors 351, 352, and 353, provided beyond the line 60.However when the first switches 301-309 are operative, only two decimalorders behind the decimal point are used and printed.

For printing in the third column shown in Fig. l, a diierent position ofthe decimal point may be required, and for this purpose second switches2014, and multiposition switch means 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, and

clude a set of movable contact members, and a plurality of sets of fixedcontact members. In the illustrated embodiment, ve sets of fixed contactmembers are provided, the fixed contact members of the first set beingdesignated by the index a, the fixed contactmembers of the second setbeing indicated by the index b, the fixed contact members of the thirdset being indicated by the index c, the fixed contact members of thefourth set being indicated by the index d, and the fixed contact membersof the fifth set being indicated by the index e.

When the set of first switches 3019 are opened, and the set of secondswitches 201-9 are closed, the multi-position switch means 21-29 becomesoperative. The contact arms of the switch means 21-29 can be movedbetween five positions establishing 'contact with all fixed contacts a,or with all fixed contacts b, c, d, e, respectively.

The sets of fixedl contacts a-e'are connected to the second conductors351-9, to the decimal point relay 10, and to the spacing relay 40 indifferent ways, so that in each of the positions of the multipleposition switch means 21-29, the number registered in the Contactregister 33 is printed with the decimal point in a different position.

For example, in the illustrated position in which the movable contactmembers establish a connection between the carriage actuated contacts11-29 with the fixed contacts 21a-29a, the respective number is printedto the unit order. The number 10 is printed as shown in the first lineof Fig. 1, and instead of zeroes which would otherwise be printed in thehighest decimal orders, the spacing relay 40 is energized so that thecarriage performs steps without printing in the highest orders. Sincethe capacity of the calculating device which is assumed to have nineorders, is exceeded, the carriage must perform steps without printing inthe highest orders. 'The carriage actuated contact 16 renders the secondconductor 359 eifective through switches 26 and 206. The lowermost orderof the form sheet column is rendered el'ective by the carriage actuatedcontact 11 and is connected through switches 201 and 21 with the secondconductor 354. The second conductor 354 corresponds to the unit order ofthe calculating devices. In the illustrated position of the switches21-29, units are printed in the form sheet, as described above.

In the second example, the set of movable contact arms of the switchmeans 21-29 are connected to the set of fixed contacts b. In thisposition, the carriage actuated contact 11 is connected through secondswitch 201, and switch 21 with the second conductor 352, and thecarriage actuated contact 12 is connected through switch 202 and switch20 with the second conductor 353. The automatic printing of the decimalpoint is effected through contact 13, switch 203, switch 23 and line 38which leads to the decimal point printing relay 10. The higher orders ofthe contact register 33 are correspondingly connected to the carriageactuated contacts which are associated with the higher orders. It willbe noted that in position b of the switch means 21-29, the number isprinted to the second decimal order behind the decimal point, and thatin position c of the switch means 21-29, the number is printed to threedecimal orders behind the decimal point, and in position d, the numberis printed to one position behind the decimal point.

From the above description of the arrangement according to the presentinvention it will become apparent that a number which is registered inthe contact register can be printed in accordance with the presentinvention with the decimal point differently placed.

The rst switches 30, the second switches 20, and the switches 21-29 maybe considered to together constitute multi-position switch means. Whenthe switches 301-9 are in circuit closing position, the actuating relays40, 10, and 500-9 are actuated in a selected sequence, whereas uponoperation of the multi-position switch means the actuating relays areoperated in a different sequence.

In the above-described arrangement it is possible to provide for each ofthe multiple lines 36 and 37 an independent contact register, and tocorrespondingly Work with different calculating devices. The shifting ofthe decimal point can be effected in one or in several multiple lines ofa plurality of multiple lines which are rendered effective bLy carriageactuated contacts. Preferably, a suitable rounding off relay is providedfor effecting a rounding oli of the digits of selected decimal orders.

.it will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types ofdecimal point shifting devices differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in adecimal point shifting device employing a contact register andmulti-position switch means for shifting the decimal point of a numberbefore printing, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown,since various modifications and structural changes may be made withoutdeparting in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so f-ully reveal the gistof the present invention that others can by applying current knowledgereadily adapt it for var ious applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this inventionand, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. In a device of the type described, in combination, a set of carriageactuated contacts including a plurality of carriage actuated contactsrespectively associated with decimal orders and one carriage actuatedContact associated with the decimal point and being located in apredetermined position with respect to said plurality of carriageactuated contacts, so that said one carriage actuated contact isactuated in a predetermined sequence with said plurality of carriageactuated contacts; a set of actuating relays including a plurality ofdigit relays respectively associated with different digits for causingthe printing of digits, and a decimal point relay for effecting thedecimal point; and switch means connecting said set of carriage actuatedcontacts with said set of actuating relays, and being movable between aplurality of positions for establishing different connections betweensaid carriage actuated contacts and said set of actuating relays foractuating said decimal point relay and said digit relays in differentsequences in each of said positions for printing a ntunber with thedecimal point in dilerent positions.

2. In a device of the type described, in combination, a set of carriageactuated contacts including a plurality of carriage actuated contactsrespectively associated with decimal orders and one carriage actuatedcontact associated with the decimal point and being located in apredetermined position with respect to said plurality of carriageactuated contacts, so that said one carriage actuated contact isactuated in a predetermined sequence with said plurality of carriageactuated contacts; a set of actuating relays including a plurality ofdigit relays respectively associated with different digits for causingthe printing of digits, and a decimal point relay for effecting thedecimal point; a contact register including a set of first conductorsrespectively associated with different digits and connected to saiddigit relays, respectively, and a set of second conductors respectivelyassociated with decimal orders, and a plurality of number contact meansfor connecting selected rst conductors with selected second conductors,respectively; and switch means for connecting said set of carriageactuated contacts with said second conductors and with said decimalpoint relay, respectively, and being movable between a plurality ofpositions for establishing diterent connections between said carriageactuated contacts and said set of actuating relays for actuating saiddecimal point relay and said digit relays in different sequences in eachof said positions for printing a number with the decimal point indifferent positions.

3. in a device of the type described, in combination, a set of carriageactuated contacts including a plurality of carriage actuated contactsrespectively associated with decimal orders and one carriage actuatedcontact asso* ciated with the decimal point and being located in apredetermined position with respect to said plurality ot carriageactuated contacts, so that said one carriage actuated contact isactuated in a predetermined sequence with said plurality of carriageactuated contacts; a set of actuating relays including a plurality ofdigit relays respectively associated with different digits for causingthe printing of digits, and a decimal point relay tor effecting thedecimal point; a contact register including a set of tirst conductorsrespectively associated with di'erent digits and connected to said digitrelay, respectively, and a set of second conductors respectivelyassociated with decimal orders, and a plurality of number contact meansfor selec-- tively connecting selected first conductors with selectedsecond conductors, respectively; and multi-position switch meansincluding a set of movable contact members respectively connected tosaid set of carriage actuated contacts, and a plurality of sets of iixedcontact members, said set of movable contact members being movablebetween a plurality of connecting positions contacting different sets oflined contact members, the iixed contact members of each set of lixedcontact members being di'erently connected to said set of secondconductors and to said decimal point relay 'for establishing differentconnections between said set of carriage actuated contacts and said setof actuating relays for actuating said decimal point relay and saiddigit relays in different sequences in each of said connecting positionsof said switch means during actuation of said carriage actuated contactsin said predetermined sequence for printing a number with the decimalpoint in diiierent positions.

4. ln a device of the type described, in combination, a set of carriageactuated contacts including a plurality of carriage actuated contactsrespectively associated with decimal orders and one carriage actuatedcontact associated with the decimal point and being located in apredetermined position with respect to said plurality of care riageactuated contacts, so that said one carriage actuated contact isactuated in a predetermined sequence with said plurality of carriageactuated contacts; a set of actuating relays including a plurality ofdigit relays respectively associated with diierent digits for causingthe printing of digits, and a decimal point relay for effecting thedecimal point; and switch means connecting said set of carriage actuatedcontacts with said set of actuating relays, and being movable between aplurality of positions 'for estab lishing different connections betweensaid carriage actuated contacts and said set of actuating relays foractuating said decimal point relay and said digit relays in differentsequences in each of said positions for printing a number with thedecimal point in different positions, one of said different sequencesbeing said predetermined sequence.

5. In a device of the type described, in combination, a set of carriageactuated contacts including a plurality or" `carriage actuated contactsrespectively associated with decimal orders and one carriage actuatedcontact associated with the decimal point and being located in apredetermined position with respect to said plurality of carriageactuated contacts, so that said one carriage actuated contact isactuated in a predetermined sequence with said plurality of carriageactuated contacts; a set of actuating relays including a plurality ofdigit relays respectively associated with different digits for causingthe printing of digits, and a decimal point relay for effecting thedecimal point; a contact register including a set of first conductorsrespectively associated with ditierent digits and connected to saiddigit relay, respectively, and a set of second conductors respectivelyassociated with decimal orders, and a plurality of number contact meansfor selectively connecting selected first conductors with selectedsecond conductors, respectively; and multi-position switch meansiucluding a set of movable contact members respectively connected tosaid set of carriage actuated contacts, and a plurality of sets of fixedcontact members, said set of movable Contact members being movablebetween a plurality of connecting positions contacting diiierent sets offixed contact members, the fixed contact members of each set of fixedcontact members being differently con` nected to said set of secondconductors and to said decimal point relay for establishing differentconnections between said ser of carriage actuated contacts and said setof actuating relays tor actuating said decimal point relay and saiddigit relays in different sequences in each of said connecting positionsof said switch means during actuation of said carriage actuated contactsiu said predetermined sequence for printing a number with the `decimalpoint in diii'erent posit1ons, one of said different sequences beingsald predetermined sequence.

6. ln a device of the type described, in combination, a set of carriageactuated contacts including a plurality of carriage actuated contactsrespectively associated with decimal orders and one carriage actuatedcontact associated with the decimal point and being located in apredetermined position with respect to said plurality of carriageactuated contacts, so that said one carriage actuated contact isactuated in a predetermined sequence with said plurality of carriageactuated contacts; a set of actuating relays including a plurality ofdigit relays respectively associated with different digits dor causingthe printing of digits, and a decimal point relay `for effecting thedecimal point; a contact register including a set of first conductorsrespectively associated with diilerent digits and connected to saiddigit relay, respectively, and a set of second conductors respectivelyassociated with decimal orders, and a plurality of number contact meansfor selectively connecting selected first conductors with selectedsecond conductors, respectively; a set of first switches including aplurality of first switches connecting said plurality of carriageactuated contacts with said second conductors, respectively, and onefirst switch connecting said decimal point relay with the carraigeactuated Contact associated with the decimal point whereby said decimalpoint relay is actuated in said predetermined sequence with respect tosaid digit relays when said first switches are in circuit closingpositions; a set of second switches including a plurality of secondswitches connected to said plurality of carriage actuated contacts,respectively, and one second switch connected to said one carriageactuated contact which is associated with the decimal point; andmultiposition switch means including a set of movable contact membersrespectively connected to said second switches, and a plurality of setsof lixed contact members, said set of movable contact members beingmovable between a plurality of connecting positions contacting differentsets of fixed contact members, the fixed contact members of each set offixed contact members being dilerently connected to said set of secondconductors and to said decimal point relay for establishing differentconnections between said set of carriage actuated contacts and said set01E actuating relays when said second switches are in circuit closingposition for actuating said decimal point relay and said digit relays indifferent sequences in each of said connecting positions of said switchmeans during actuation of said carriage actuated contacts in saidpredetermined sequence for printing a number with the decimal point indifferent positions.

7. In a device of the type described in combination, a set of carriageactuated contacts including a plurality of carriage actuated contactsrespectively associated with decimal orders and one carriage actuatedcontact associated with the decimal point and being located in apredetermined position with respect to said plurality of carriageactuated contacts, yso that said one carriage actuated contact isactuated in a predetermined sequence with said plurality of carriageactuated contacts; a set of actuating relays including a plurality ofIdigit relays respectively associated wtih different digits for causingthe printing of digits, and a decimal point relay for effecting thedecimal point; a Contact register including a set of first conductorsrespectively associated with different digits and connected to saiddigit relay, respectively, and a set of second conductors respectivelyassociated with decimal orders, and a plurality of number contact meansfor selectively connecting selected first conductors with selectedsecond conductors, respectively; a set of first switches including aplurality of first switches connecting said plurality of carriageactuated contacts with said second conductors, respectively, and onefirst switch connecting said decimal point relay with the carriageactua-ted contact associated with the decimal point whereby said decimalpoint relay is actuated in saidA predetermined sequence with respect tosaid digit relays when said first switches are in circuit closingpositions; a set of second switches including a plurality of secondswitches connected to said plurality of carriage actuated contacts,respectively, and one second switch connected to said one carriageactuated contact which is associated with the decimal point; andmulti-position switch means including a set of movable contact membersrespectively connected to said second switches, and a plurality of setsof fixed Contact members, said set of movable contact members beingmovable between a plurality of connecting positions contacting differentscts olf fixed contact members, the fixed contact members of each set offixed contact members being differently connected to said set of secondconductors and to said ydecimal point relay for establishing differentconnections between said set of carriage actuated contacts and said setof actuating relays when said second switches are in circuit closingposi-tion for actuating said decimal point relay and said digit relaysin different sequences in each of said connecting positions of saidswitch means during actuation of said carriage actuated contacts inysaid predetermined sequence for printing a number with the decimalpoint in different positions, one of said different sequences being saidpredetermined sequence.

8. In a device of the type described, in combination, a set of carriageactuated contacts including a plurality of carriage actuated contactsrespectively associated with decimal orders and one carriage actuatedcontact associated with the decimal point and being located in apredetermined position with respect to said plurality of carriageactuated contacts, so that said one carriage actuated contact isactuated in a predetermined sequence with said plurali-ty of carriageactuated contacts; a set of actuating relays including a plurality ofdigit relays, respectively associated with diferent ydigits for causingthe printing of digits, and a decimal point relay Ifor effecting thedecimal point; switch means connecting said set of carriage actuatedcontacts with said set of actuating relays, and being movable between aplurality of positions for establishing different connections betweensaid carriage actuated contacts and said set of actuating relays foractuating said 'decimal point relay and said digit relays in differentsequences in each of said positions -for pri-nting 'a number with thedecimal point in different positions; and a spacing relay connected bysaid switch means to said carriage actuated contacts for effecting, whenactuated by a carriage actuated contact, actuation of the next followingcarriage actuated contact.

9. In a device of the -type described, in combination, a set of carriageactuated contacts including a plurality of carriage actuated contactsrespectively associated with decimal orders and one carriage actuatedcontact associated with the decimal point and being located in apredetermined position with respect to said plurality of carriageactuated contacts, so that said one carriage actuated contact isactuated in a predetermined sequence with said plurality of carriageactuated contacts; a set of' actuating relays including a plurality ofdigit relays respectively associated with diferent digits for causingthe printing of digits, and a decimal point relay for effecting thedecimal point; a contact register including a set of first conductorsrespectively associated with different digits and connected to saiddigit relays, respectively, and a set of second conductors respectivelyassociated with decimal orders, and a plurality of number contact meansfor connecting selected first conductors with selected secondconductors, respectively; switch means for connecting said set ofcarriage actuated contacts with said second conductors and with saidvdecimal point relay, respectively, and being movable between aplurality of positions for establishing different connections betweensaid carriage actuated contacts and said set of actuating relays toractuating said decimal point relay and said digit relays in differentsequences in each of said positions for printing a number with thedecimal point in different positions; and a spacing relay connected bysaid switch means to said carriage `actuated contacts `for effecting,when actuated by a carriage actuated contact, actuation of the nextfollowing carriage actuated contact.

l0. In a device of the type described, in combination, a Iset ofcarriage actuated contacts including a plurality of carriage actuatedcontacts respectively associated with `decimal orders ,and one carriageactuated contact associated with the decimal point 'and being located ina predetermined position with respect to said plurality of carriageactuated contacts, so that said one carriage actuated contact isactuated in a predetermined sequence with said plurali-ty of carriageactuated contacts; a set of actuating relays including a plurality ofdigit relays respectively associated with different digits for causingthe printing of digits, and a decimal point relay Ifor effecting thedecimal point; a -contact register including a set of first `conductorsrespectively associated with different digits and connected to saiddigit relay, respectively, and a set of second conductors respectivelyassociated with decimal orders, and a plurality o-f number contact meansfor selectively connecting selected first conductors with selectedsecond conductors, respectively; multi-position switch means including aset of movable contact members respectively connected to said set ofcarriage actuated contacts, and a plurality of sets of fixed contactmembers, said set of movable contact members being movable between aplurality of connecting positions contacting different sets of fixedcontact members, the fixed contact members of each set of fixed contactmembers being differently connected to said set of lsecond conductorsand to said decimal point relay Ifor establishing different connectionsbetween said set of carriage actuated contacts and said set of actuatingrelays for actuating said decimal point relay and said digit relays indifferent sequences in each of said connecting positions of said switchmeans during actuation of said carriage actuated contacts in saidpredetermined sequence for printing a number with the `decimal point indifferent positions; and a spacing relay connected by said switch meansto said carriage actuated contacts for effecting, when actuated by acarriage actuated contact, actuation o-f the next following Icarriageactuated contact.

ll. In a device of the type described in combination, a set of carriageactuated contacts including a plurality of carriage actuated contactsrespectively associated with decimal orders and one carriage actuatedcontact associated with the decimal point and being located in apredetermined position with respect to said plurality of carriageactuated contacts, so that said one carriage actuated contact isactuated in a predetermined sequence with said plurality of carriageactuated contacts; a set of actuating relays including a plurality ofdigit relays respectively associated with dilerent digits for causingthe printing of digits, and a decimal point relay for effecting thedecimal point; a contact register including a set or iirst conductorsrespectively associated with diilerent digits and connected to saiddigit relay, respectively, and a set oi second conductors respectivelyassociated with decimal orders, and a plurality of number contact meansfor selectively connecting selected first conductors with selectedsecond conductors, respectively; a set of first switches including aplurality of rst switches connecting said plurality o'i carriageactuated contacts with said second conductors, respectively, and one rstswitch connecting said decimal point relay with the carriage actuatedContact associated with the decimal point whereby said decimal pointrelay is actuated in said predetermined sequence with respect to saiddigit relays when said lirst switches in circuit closing positions; aset of second switches including a plurality of second switchesconnected to said plurality of carriage actuated contacts, respectively,and one second switch connected to said one carriage actuated contactwhich is associated with the decimal point; multiposition switch meansincluding a set of movable Contact members respectively connected tosaid second switches, and a plurality of sets of fixed contact members,said set of movable contact members being movable between a plurality ofconnecting positions contacting different sets of lxed contact members,the lixed Contact members of each of fixed contact members beingdifferently connected to said set of second conductors and to saiddecimal point relay for establishing different connections between saidset of carriage actuated contacts and said set of actuating relays whensaid second switches are in circuit closing position for actuating saiddecimal point relay and said digit relays in different sequences in eachof said connecting positions of said switch means during actuation ofsaid carriage actuated contacts in said predetermined sequence 'forprinting a number with the decimal point in different positions, one ofsaid different sequences being said predetermined sequence; and aspacing relay connected by said switch means to said carriage actuatedcontacts for effecting, when actuated by a carriage actuated contact,actuation of the next following carriage actuated contact.

l2. in a device of the type described, in combination, a set carriageactuated contacts including a plurality of carriage actuated contactsrespectively associated with decimal. orders and. one carriage actuatedContact associated with the decimal point and being` located in apredetermined position with respect to said plurality of carriageactuated contacts, so that said one carriage actuated Contact isactuated in a predetermined sequence with said plurality of carriageactuated contacts; a set ot' actuating relays including a plurality ofdigit relays respectively associated with different digits for causirithe printing of digits, and a decl nal point relay for effecting thedecimal point; a contact register including a set of lirst conductorsrespectively associated with difl'ercnt digits and connected to saiddigit relays, respectively, and `a set of second conductors respectivelyassociated with decimal orders, and a plurality of number contact meansfor connecting selected tirst conductors with selected secondconductors, respectively; switch means for connecting said set ofcarriage actuated contacts with said second conductors with said decimalpoint relay, respectively, and being movable between a plurality ofpositions for establishing dilferent connections between said carriage'actuated contacts and said set of actuating relays for actuating saiddecimal point relay and said digit relays in different sequences in eachof said positions for printing a number with the decimal point indiferent positions; and relay means for rounding-oli the digits of thelowermost order and being connected by said switch means to saidcarriage actuated contacts.

i3. ln a device of the type described, in combination,

a set of carriage actuated contacts including a plurality of carriageactuated contacts respectively associated with decimal orders and onecarriage actuated contact associated with the decimal point and beinglocated in a predetermined position with respect to said plurality ofcarriage actuated contacts, so that said one carriage actuated contactis actuated in a predetermined sequence with said plurality of carriageactuated contacts; a set of actuating relays including a plurality ofdigit relays respectively associated with different digits for causingthe print ig of digits, and a decimal point relay for effecting thedecimal point; a plurality of contact registers, each Contact registerincluding a set of first conductors respectively associated withdifferent digits and connected to said digit relays, respectively, and aset of second conductors respectively associated with decimal orders,and a plurality of number contact means for connecting selected firstconductors with selected second conductors, respectively; and switchmeans for connecting said set of carriage actuated contacts with saidsecond conductors of each of said Contact registers and with saiddecimal point relay, respectively, and being movable between a pluralityof positions for establishing different connections between saidcarriage actuated contacts and said set of actuating relays foractuating said decimal point relay and said digit relays in differentsequences in each of said positions for printing a number with thedecimal point in different positions.

14. ln a device of the type described, in combination, a set of carriageactuated contacts including a plurality of carriage actuated contactsrespectively associated with Adecimal orders and one carriage actuatedcontact associated with the decimal point and being located in apredetermined position with respect to said plurality of carriageactuated contacts, so that said one carriage actuated Contact isactuated in a predetermined sequence with said plurality of carriageactuated contacts; a set of actuating relays including a plurality ofdigit relays respectively associated with difierent digits for causingthe printing of digits, and a decimal point relay for effecting thedecimal point; a plurality of contact registers, each contact registerincluding a set of iirst conductors respectively associated withdifferent digits and connected to said digit relay, respectively, and aset of second conductors respectively associated with decimal orders,and a plurality of number contact means for selectively connectingselected rst conductors with selected second conductors, respectively;and multiposition switch means including a set of movable contactmembers respectively connected to said set of carriage actuatedcontacts, and a plurality of sets of fixed contact members, said set ofmovable contact members being movable between a plurality of connectingpositions contacting different sets of fixed contact members, the fixedcontact members of each set of tixed contact members being differentlyconnected to the sets of second conductors of said contact registers andto said decimal point relay for establishing different connectionsbetween said set of carriage actuated contacts and said set of actuatingrelays for actuating said decimal point relay and said digit relays indifferent sequences in each of said Connecting positions of said switchmeans during actuation of said carriage actuated contacts in saidpredetermined sequence for printing a number with the decimal point indifferent positions.

i5. ln a device of the type described, in combination, a set of carriageactuated contacts including a plurality of carriage actuated contactsrespectively associated with decimal orders and one carriage actuatedcontact associated with the decimal point and being located in apredetermined position with respect to said plurality of carriageactuated contacts, so that said one carriage actuated contact isactuated in a predetermined sequence with said plurality of carriageactuated contacts; a set of actuating relays including a plurality ofdigit relays respectively associated with dilerent digits for causingthe print- 13 ing of digits, and a decimal point relay for effecting thedecimal point; a plurality of contact registers, each con tact registerincluding a set of first conductors respectively associated withdifferent digits and connected to said digit relay, respectively, and aset of second conductors respectively associated with decimal orders,and a plurality of number contact means for selectively connectingselected first conductors with selected second conductors7 respectively;a set of first switches including a plurality of first switchesconnecting said plurality of carriage actuated contacts with said secondconductors of each of said contact registers, respectively, and onefirst switch connecting said decimal point relay with the carriageactuated contact associated with the decimal point whereby said decimalrelay is actuated in said predetermined sequence with respect to saiddigit relays when said rst switches are in circuit closing positions; aset of second switches including a plurality of second switchesconnected to said plurality of carriage actuated contacts, respectively,and one second switch connected to said one carriage actuated contactwhich is associated with the decimal point; and multi-position switchmeans in* cluding a set of movable contact members respectivelyconnected to said second switches, and a plurality of sets of fixedcontact members, said set of movable contact members being movablebetween a plurality of connecting positions contacting different sets offixed contact members, the fixed contact members of each set of fixedcontact members being differently connected to said set of secondconductors and to said decimal point relay for establishing differentconnections between said set of carriage actuated contacts and said setof actuating relays when said second switches are in circuit closingposition for actuating said decimal point relay and said digit relays indifferent sequences in each of said connecting positions of said switchmeans during actuation of said carriage actuated contacts in saidpredetermined sequence for printing a number with the decimal point indifferent positions.

Sobisch Dec. 22, 1942 Sobisch Ian. 19, 1943

